County FFA members meet for leadership conference

Officers from the Somerset County Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters met last week at Somerset High School to discuss ideas and plans for the upcoming year.

"This conference helps promote teamwork and leadership and gets us together on a county level," said Greg Frazier, county president and a member of the Berlin Chapter. "We will have a better direction when we go home to our local chapters."

Frazier is optimistic for the future of agriculture and the future of FFA. Both Frazier and Mike Gastley, county vice president and a member at Somerset FFA, related how their chapters are adding new members.

"Our chapter manages to add new members every year with brothers and sisters talking about their positive experiences so more in the family want to join," said Gastley.

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Frazier couldn't agree more and explained that "FFA can only get better from here."

In addition, Somerset County has two state officers this year who were on hand to help out with leadership workshops during the morning. Mark Lowery, Western Regional Vice President, and Jon Henry, state sentinel, both members of Meyersdale's chapter, spoke to the group.

The guest speaker for the event, state Sen. Richard Kasunic, has supported other FFA functions in the past and spoke highly of the FFA program and the members' leadership roles in the community.

"There is no place I would rather raise a family than right here in rural Pennsylvania, instead of an urban area where you never know your neighbors," said Sen. Kasunic in a heartfelt speech of patriotism, Americanism and agriculture. "That is something special we have here in rural America and it will never leave us. We have that solid foundation. That rock our parents and grandparents instilled in us. Volunteerism and patriotism and leadership are in us. FFA embodies our role in America."

Sen. Kasunic commended the young men and women sitting in the first few rows of the auditorium for their leadership.

"You aren't afraid of getting involved, but the person who is willing to make criticisms against this program should step forth and be willing to lead and participate and listen to others," he said. "Listening is important in life. When you go through life, you realize that you are not always right. We need to listen. When I go to a meeting, I listen. Just because I am an elected official doesn't mean I have all the answers. People like me should be listening to you because you are the experts and live it every day."

Sen. Kasunic related about a concern that was weighing on his mind at the time. He explained that the Anchor Glass Corp. in Fayette County, a manufacturing facility that has existed for 100 years, sent 300 people home without jobs indefinitely with most being an average age of 50 years old.

"My challenge is to try to work something out so those people don't lose their jobs," he stressed. "We must try to bring everyone back to the table and get them to stay open. Life isn't always easy and this is not an easy situation. In life, each of you will have challenges too."

He also encouraged every young person to register to vote and he spoke about the high voter turnout in the recent election, but he stressed to the teenagers that the Republicans and Democrats now must work together to make a better America and forget about party lines.

"When you turn 18, register to vote. It's important and it does make a difference," he said. "That is a privilege that most nations centuries older than us do not have. We had good voter turnout recently but keep in mind that only about 50 percent of the eligible voters are registered to vote and only about 70 percent of the registered ones come out to vote. That's not a good commentary for us as Americans because a minority is electing our public officials. We take our privilege for granted. Get involved and make good selections and make good decisions."

Sen. Kasunic also spoke briefly about the war in Iraq and reminded everyone to pray for those who are in Iraq. He also noted that Veteran's Day means appreciating what others have done for our country so we can have freedom.

In closing, Sen. Kasunic commended volunteerism and the fire departments and ambulance personnel for being the first responders. He also praised the students for their efforts and encouraged them to pursue their dreams in agriculture in the future.